A design platform
reinventing materials.
What we do
We build upon 3.8 billion years of microbial evolution to craft an entirely new class of natural materials, which displace animal-and-fossil-fuel derived alternatives.
How we do it
Our patent-pending biotechnology process merges biology, material science, engineering, and design to produce materials that are circular by nature, and customisable by design.
Our platform connects the dots between
Biology
Harnessing the natural abilities of microbes with the latest biological tools to produce a highly adaptable natural fiber called nanocellulose
Material Science
Exploring the boundaries of nanomaterials, fiber science and green chemistry to reimagine what natural materials are capable of
Engineering
Designing the tools and systems to drive circularity, we hack existing equipment and create new systems with scale and accessibility in mind
Craft
Building on centuries of textile craft, we collaborate with skilled artisans and industry experts to ensure the highest level of quality and workability
An evolving material platform, unlocking infinite design possibilities
Could this be the leather of the future?
CNN, May 2024
Start-up Modern Synthesis is creating new materials by working with living organisms – bacteria. The aim is to create low-carbon alternatives to traditional fabrics, curbing emissions and plastic pollution. “For the first time, we’re able to offer the aesthetic and performance of the materials that we use everyday but without the plastic and without the animal. I can’t stress how hard that is.”
Meet the founder: Jen Keane
AgFunder News, January 2024
Modern Synthesis combines nanocellulose created by sugar-eating bacteria, with natural textiles. According to Keane, the process is “similar to how rebar is used to reinforce concrete” and generates materials that “can be processed on the same equipment as conventional textiles.” But how efficient are bugs at creating bags, and how scalable is Modern Synthesis’ patent-pending technology?
GANNI unveils bag made from bacterial leather at LDF
Dezeen, September 2023
Bacteria were used to form this one-off edition of the Bou Bag by Danish fashion brand GANNI, made from a leather alternative by London biotech company Modern Synthesis that contains no plastic or petrochemicals. “Collaborating with GANNI on the Bou Bag has allowed us to showcase the viability of bacterial cellulose-based materials in real-world applications,” said Modern Synthesis CEO Jen Keane.
Technology
Reinventing materials
The result: a revolutionary class of nonwoven materials which can be tuned to displace a spectrum of textiles, from plastic films to leathers.
Microcraft
Redefining textile craft, from the nanoscale. Inspiring the senses with the exceptional strength, refined beauty and tactility of nanocellulose, this new class of materials unlocks new design possibilities, bringing life to a new era of luxury.
Natural technicals
The next generation of performance, by nature – plastic-free technical textiles are here, offering a sleek, highly adaptable alternative to synthetic coated materials with the intrinsic circularity of cellulosics.
Impact
Reimagining systems
Our evolving biotechnology process addresses 5 related challenges: GHG emissions, waste, land use, plastic pollution and animal welfare.
Our technology drives systems changes across
Animal welfare
Unlike leathers and exotic skins, our materials don’t necessitate animal slaughter, and unlike ‘vegan leathers,’ they don’t rely on harmful additives
Greenhouse gas emissions
Research suggests that our GHG emissions could be significantly lower than leather and petrochemical-based textiles
Food waste
Since our microbes can digest any kind of agricultural sugar feedstocks, we minimise waste and enable a decentralised closed loop system
Land use
Bioreactors take up much less space than farms or chemical plants, radically reducing the amount of land needed to produce a meter of material
Plastic pollution
Unlike synthetic textiles, our 100% plastic-free materials can be designed to safely biodegrade, reducing ecosystem degradation and microplastic shedding
Animal welfare
Unlike leathers and exotic skins, our materials don’t necessitate animal slaughter, and unlike ‘vegan leathers,’ they don’t rely on harmful additives
Greenhouse gas emissions
Research suggests that our GHG emissions could be significantly lower than leather and petrochemical-based textiles
Food waste
Since our microbes can digest any kind of agricultural sugar feedstocks, we minimise waste and enable a decentralised closed loop system
Land use
Bioreactors take up much less space than farms or chemical plants, radically reducing the amount of land needed to produce a meter of material
Plastic pollution
Unlike synthetic textiles, our 100% plastic-free materials can be designed to safely biodegrade, reducing ecosystem degradation and microplastic shedding
Nature has had 3.8 billion years to perfect the ultimate circular economy: life.
Circular by nature
Modern Synthesis materials are naturally biodegradable, circular, and customisable from the nanoscale up – enabling us to meet fashion industry requirements across sustainability and desirability.
Designed for scale
Our process is driven by impact and designed for scale. As our production capacity grows, we plan to leverage existing manufacturing equipment, optimise material design processes for scale, and collaborate with knowledgable ecosystem partners.
Team
Reinventing collaboration
As a team of biologists, chemists, designers, engineers, storytellers, robots and microbes, our team knows that magic happens when disparate disciplines, perspectives and ideas collide.
Founders
Our Founders: Jen Keane (CEO) and Dr. Ben Reeve (CTO)
The first seeds of Modern Synthesis’ future were planted during our Co-founder Jen’s Central Saint Martins MA project, This is Grown. Jen’s Previous work at adidas and Nike inspired her to re-envision the product design process by growing the upper of an athletic shoe with only bacterial nanocellulose and one continuous yarn. While working on This Is Grown, she collaborated closely with scientists from Imperial College London, including our Co-founder Ben, who discovered and sequenced the strain of bacteria that we employ to produce our novel biomaterials today.
With a PhD in bioengineering and previous experiences as the founding CTO of Puraffinity, Ben’s technology vision proved to be the perfect complement to Jen’s design ambitions. Their collaboration was both a response to our ongoing plastic crisis and an attempt to prove the profound design and performance possibilities of new biomaterial technologies. Now at the helm of Modern Synthesis, they remain united by the idea that sustainability, technology, creativity, and beauty can – and should – go hand in hand.
Leadership
Francesca Perona
Head of Product
Fran is a materials innovator who finds her chi by connecting the dots between science and engineering R&D
Sarah West Young
Head of Growth
Sarah is a business developer who spends her free time reading, writing, and dreaming about material change
Dr. Neil Buckney, PhD
Head of Engineering
Neil is a materials expert who always has reshaping material manufacturing systems on the brain.
Dr. Ioannis Zampetakis, PhD
Head of Science
Ioannis is a bioprocess engineer with a deep interest in bioprinting and the world of novel biocomposites
Advisors
Dr. Orlando Rojas
Professor, University of British Columbia and leading expert on biomaterials and finishes.
Dr. Tom Ellis
Professor and Lead of the Tom Ellis Lab at Imperial College in London. Leading expert in synthetic biology.
Pierre Denis
Fashion executive, angel investor and former CEO of Jimmy Choo. Previous experience at LVMH, Dior and Coty.
Bill Brady
Co-Founder, CEO & Director of Kula Bio. Co-Founded Monolith Materials with previous experience at Mascoma.
Christopher Chew
Former Partnerships Manager at Modern Meadow and Blooms. 6 years experience at W.L. Gore.
Dr. Orlando Rojas
Professor, University of British Columbia and leading expert on biomaterials and finishes.
Dr. Tom Ellis
Professor and Lead of the Tom Ellis Lab at Imperial College in London. Leading expert in synthetic biology.
Pierre Denis
Fashion executive, angel investor and former CEO of Jimmy Choo. Previous experience at LVMH, Dior and Coty.
Bill Brady
Co-Founder, CEO & Director of Kula Bio. Co-Founded Monolith Materials with previous experience at Mascoma.
Christopher Chew
Former Partnerships Manager at Modern Meadow and Blooms. 6 years experience at W.L. Gore.
Values
We co-culture change
Co-Culture reflects our commitment to cross-pollination internally and externally, our ability to lean on one another, and our role as a catalyst in both business and culture
We put growth on a pedestal
Growth speaks to our inspiration and creative use of biology, our bias towards impact and scale, and our dedication to empowering industry to ‘grow up’ from a harmful past
We do it all by design
By Design articulates the intentionality, empathy, and creativity built into all aspects of our work. It also speaks to the importance of accountability and core design thinking principles
FAQs
FAQs
Curious? You can explore answers to all of our most commonly asked questions on our FAQ page below – and if your question isn’t listed you’re always welcome to drop us a line at hello@mod-synth.com
Team
Our team
Just as natural ecosystems thrive on the diverse abilities and unique contributions of many species, our people form a team that is greater than the sum of its parts. With wide ranging skill sets and varied backgrounds, together we are reinventing collaboration on a continuous basis.
Careers
Open positions
Vice President - Operations
About the role
We’re seeking a dynamic VP Operations to join our leadership team and propel us to new heights as we embark on the next growth stage of our business. Reporting directly to the CEO, you’ll play a pivotal role in setting and executing our operational strategy and fostering innovation in our product development and manufacturing. You will be at the forefront of a team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of sustainable material technologies.
Finance & Operations Manager
About the role
We’re looking for a Finance Manager to join our team at an exciting time for the business. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Finance Manager will work with the supervision of the fractional CFO to be responsible for all day-to-day financial operations within the business, as well as partnering with our internal teams and implementing new financial systems and controls.
We are currently focused on R&D and planning scale up for material manufacturing. This is a role for a do-er, ideally suited to someone who is looking to step up and take on more responsibilities and grow within the role. You’ll be on the ground, doing the heavy lifting which makes the company run in a fast-paced environment.
General Application
About the role
If we don’t have a role that suits your experience, you can submit a general application here.
Working at Modern Synthesis requires comfort with rapid innovation cycles and constant growth that comes with working in a start-up. You will need to be proactive and flexible to take on new tasks and challenges, whilst upholding our passion for sustainability and impact.
News
Reframing the narrative
The biotech company creating fashion with bacteria
Parley for the Oceans, May 2024
In an unassuming laboratory on an industrial estate in South West London is a shoe that’s been grown from bacteria. This new way of approaching material design is organism-led, a technique that collaborates with the origins of life on Earth in order to help design its future. Parley visited the Modern Synthesis lab in London to get a firsthand look at the products they’re making using K.Rhaeticus bacteria.
Could this be the leather of the future?
CNN, May 2024
Start-up Modern Synthesis is creating new materials by working with living organisms – bacteria. The aim is to create low-carbon alternatives to traditional fabrics, curbing emissions and plastic pollution. “For the first time, we’re able to offer the aesthetic and performance of the materials that we use everyday but without the plastic and without the animal. I can’t stress how hard that is.”
Meet the founder: Jen Keane
AgFunder News, January 2024
Modern Synthesis combines nanocellulose created by sugar-eating bacteria, with natural textiles. According to Keane, the process is “similar to how rebar is used to reinforce concrete” and generates materials that “can be processed on the same equipment as conventional textiles.” But how efficient are bugs at creating bags, and how scalable is Modern Synthesis’ patent-pending technology?
GANNI unveils bag made from bacterial leather at LDF
Dezeen, September 2023
Bacteria were used to form this one-off edition of the Bou Bag by Danish fashion brand GANNI, made from a leather alternative by London biotech company Modern Synthesis that contains no plastic or petrochemicals. “Collaborating with GANNI on the Bou Bag has allowed us to showcase the viability of bacterial cellulose-based materials in real-world applications,” said Modern Synthesis CEO Jen Keane.
GANNI and Modern Synthesis made a Bou Bag
Futurevvorld, September 2023
Unveiled at London Design Week 2023, the collaboration reimagines GANNI’s much-loved “Bou Bag” – previously made from a mix of materials, including recycled leather, polyurethane, recycled cotton and polyester – in Modern Synthesis’ bacteria-based alternative material, bacterial nanocellulose, described as “a particularly strong and fine form of cellulose derived from bacterial fermentation.”
Growing a biomaterial future with Jen Keane
WGSN, April 2023
Jen Keane joins WGSN on their Create Tomorrow podcast to discuss what’s next for biomaterials and what brands can do to work collaboratively with startups in this field. “It’s a replacement for leather, but it doesn’t feel exactly like leather and it doesn’t behave exactly like leather. These materials are really new and can help us design products differently and we need to approach them that way.”
These textiles were grown by bacteria
Fast Company, April 2023
Modern Synthesis has developed a novel way to create textiles from a microbe, and the resulting material could be sold to brands as a replacement for synthetic fabrics. “It’s naturally transparent, and it almost looks like a nylon or technical synthetic fabric,” Jen Keane says. “But the feel is much more natural. And it’s adaptable in terms of its hand feel.” It can be more flexible, for example, or thicker…
Modern Synthesis raises $4.1 million
AgFunder News, July 2022
UK-based biomaterials startup Modern Synthesis has raised $4.1 million in seed funding to support its microbial textile platform that aims to make the fashion industry more sustainable. Investors in the round include AgFunder, Collaborative Fund, Acequia Capital, Petri Bio, Ponderosa Ventures, Possible Ventures, IMO Ventures, Taihill Venture, and Parley for the Oceans, amongst others.
Cellulose shoes made by bacteria
Nature Biotechnology, August 2022
Modern Synthesis’ goal is to produce a new class of material, a composite material that will replace animal-and petrochemical-made sneakers with a biodegradable, yet durable, alternative. The shoe’s upper is made by bacteria that naturally produce nanocellulose (Komagataeibacter rhaeticus). They can be genetically engineered to self-dye by producing melanin for color.
